This was quite expected even if I did not expect this to happen that fast. VMware by Broadcom has announced a Simplification of VMware licensing. There will be two primary offers only (VMware Cloud Foundation and VMware vSphere Foundation). Both are available as subscriptions only. Perpetual licenses are no longer available for purchase.
This was pretty quick imho. So the next version of vSphere, for every business, will be only available as a subscription. No renewals on licenses and no SnS or renewals either.
Quote from the release page:
- A dramatic simplification of our product portfolio that allows customers of all sizes to gain more value for their investments in VMware solutions. The portfolio simplification across all VMware by Broadcom divisions stems from customer and partner feedback over the years telling us our offers and go-to-market are too complex.
- Complete the transition of all VMware by Broadcom solutions to subscription licenses, with the end of sale of perpetual licenses, Support and Subscription (SnS) renewals for perpetual offerings, and hybrid purchase program/subscription purchase program (HPP/SPP) credits beginning today (effective dates will vary). Additionally, we are introducing a bring-your-own-subscription license option, providing license portability to VMware validated hybrid cloud endpoints running VMware Cloud Foundation.
Portfolio Simplification
Today, we’re announcing specific changes coming to the VMware Cloud Foundation division portfolio. Going forward, the division will feature two primary offers:
- VMware Cloud Foundation, our flagship enterprise-class hybrid cloud solution for customers to run their business critical and modern applications – in a secure, resilient and cost efficient manner. To allow more customers to benefit from this solution, we’ve reduced the previous subscription list price by half and added higher support service levels including enhanced support for activating the solution and lifecycle management.
- The new VMware vSphere Foundation delivers a more simplified enterprise-grade workload platform for our mid-sized to smaller customers. This solution integrates vSphere with our intelligent operations management to provide the best performance, availability, and efficiency with greater visibility and insights.
Both VMware Cloud Foundation and VMware vSphere Foundation will have optional advanced add-on offers. Our storage offering, ransomware and disaster recovery service, and application platform services are available on both offers. And Application Network and Security offerings are available for VMware Cloud Foundation. Additional advanced services and offerings, including Private AI, will be available soon.
Source: VMware
Q and A:
Q: What are the changes to perpetual licenses?
A: As part of our transition to subscription and a simplified portfolio, beginning today, we will no longer sell perpetual licenses. All offerings will continue to be available as subscriptions going forward. Additionally, we are ending the sale of Support and Subscription (SnS) renewals for perpetual offerings beginning today.
Q: Can customers continue to use their perpetual licenses?
A: Yes, customers can continue to use perpetual licenses that they’ve purchased for products.
Q: Can customers still purchase and add additional perpetual licenses after today?
A: After a customer’s effective date for the end of availability of perpetual licenses, customers will not be able to purchase new perpetual licenses. Customers will be able to purchase subscription software or term licenses to supplement or replace their current perpetual-licensed install base.
Q: Can customers renew their Service and Support (SnS) contracts after today?
A: No, customers cannot renew their SnS contracts for perpetual licensed products after today. Broadcom will work with customers to help them “trade in” their perpetual products in exchange for the new subscription products, with upgrade pricing incentives. Customers can contact their VMware account or partner representative to learn more.
Q: What is VMware vSphere Foundation?
A: VMware vSphere Foundation is a new solution that combines our full-featured server virtualization platform, vSphere with intelligent operations management to deliver the best performance, availability, and efficiency with greater visibility and insights. For customers seeking an HCI solution, we offer VMware vSAN as an add-on to vSphere Foundation, which includes all the capabilities of vSAN including vSAN Max.
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Hallo,
do you ve informations of a setup will stop working when the subscription runs of of date.
No, your perp. install will continue to work. If you buy a subscription for vSphere NEXT release, then yes, after subscription ends, you most likely have to re-new. It’s like with other subscription based workloads, right?
Hallo,
the question is if there a grace times or does the software stops working.
Nobody wants to see an inactive vsphere environement when licenses-servers are inactive something went wrong while renewing a license.
I don’t think you have to worry about it. VMware won’t let you down. I’ve seen environments grace periods extended by VMware without problems. If you have a problem they’re always there to help.
Hello,
Any news regarding vSphere Essentials (without Plus) ?
Mayby free version get the Essentials functions 😉 or there will be no Hypervisor Free anymore.
Also, are there any confirmation that vSphere Standard Subscription minimum purchase is 16 or 32 core per physical CPU ?
When I look at the VMware store, there is no change so far … “The vSphere Essentials Kit licenses are perpetual and does not expire”.
VMware Store (both US/EU) offers are probably not yet changed according to new rules, there are still all perpetual + SnS offerings available include Standard and Enterprise Plus.
Now done. No more Essentials/Essentials PLUS buys there…. subs only
Will VMware vSphere Foundation be the equivalent of vSphere Enterprise Plus in features such as distributed switch support, VM encryption, DRS, IO control, etc? Or will I be forced into VCF just to maintain feature parity with what I had as a Enterprise Plus + vSAN only shop?
We have a cluster of 36 CPUs with 24 cores, each running vSphere Advanced, NSX-T and vRA automation only. We currently pay roughly 80.000$ per year of VMware support for our perpetual licenses. In future we will have to pay over 250.000$ per year as we are forced to buy VMware Cloud-Foundation pack.
I’m sorry to reply so late, but don’t really have a good answer tbh. The VMware licensing just got even more obscured. This KB should help a bit: https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/95927